Becoming Bani Adam

Reconciling Evolution, Revelation, and the Qur’anic Human Story

by USTADHA FATEMAH MEGHJI

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Becoming Bani Adam explores one of the most profound intersections of faith and reason: the origins of humanity. In an age where empirical science dominates public imagination, how can Shia Muslims thoughtfully reconcile the discoveries of evolutionary biology with the Qur’anic narrative of human creation?

Drawing on Twelver-Shi‘i hermeneutical principles, this study carefully navigates scientific evidence, classical and contemporary tafsīr to propose that belief in human evolutionary ancestry need not conflict with divine revelation.

From the silent mysteries of the fossil record to the luminous guidance of the Qur’an, Becoming Bani Adam offers a rigorous, and faith-anchored approach to questions many fear to ask. It is a call to engage, reflect, and rediscover what it truly means to be human and of the honored children of Adam.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ustadha Fatemah Meghji completed her BA in English Literature and Religious Studies from the University of British Columbia, after which she left to study in the female seminary. She studied at Jamiat al-Zahra and completed the masters program in Qur’anic Tafsir and Qur’anic Sciences with honors. She is currently an instructor at the Mizan Institute, leading the Sisters Department. Moreover, she has been teaching in a professional capacity for almost a decade, previously serving as the Islamic Director at the Az-Zahraa Islamic Academy. She has lectured worldwide and her research interests include usul al-tafsir, Qur’anic hermeneutics, and women in the tradition.

REVIEWS

What I appreciated most was the exposure to our most important scholars of the Qur’an on this topic and how they reconciled modern scientific discovery with what the apparent scripture claims. Ustadha Fatemah explained what can be a complex topic - combining various Islamic sciences such as arabic grammar, tafsir, usul , hadith studies, and more, in a simple and accessible way for the general public to understand. What stood out was how it balances academic depth with clarity, making space for thoughtful and critical engagement without compromising faith. It draws on Twelver-Shi‘i scholarship in a way rarely done in English, and opens up an essential conversation for Muslims navigating questions of science and religion today. By challenging the false dichotomy between science and faith, it empowers listeners to think deeply and confidently about one of the most sensitive topics affecting belief in the modern world.

@theimamibengali

Hawza Student

I found the work refreshing. It’s a topic that hasn’t been explored enough—at least within the Muslim community in the West. The holistic approach taken in presenting different viewpoints—both from biologists and from our own scholarly circles—makes this work valuable. Having taken genetics and other biology-related courses, I felt that I was able to understand how our scholars’ views can possibly align with, or even go against, what biologists have hypothesized which the critique at the end of the work has done.

Al-Husein Al-Kazaz

Biology & Pre-Med Student

"I am a middle-school teacher at an Islamic school and taught evolution. The insights provided in this research were very helpful for me. I think that all of us should be familiar with the topic, as misunderstanding it can lead to struggles in faith. Standardized tests include many teachings on human evolution, but I was able to do introduce a nuanced approach to my students because of this research!"

Sr. Zehra

Middle-School Teacher

"As a Masters student of Religion and Public Life I’m always interested in reading on topics that show an intersection between intellectual and spiritual interests....This book is both accessible and challenging in a manner that engages the reader and challenges them to reflect deeply on the miracles and perfection of Allah’s design"

Krista Nahle

MA Candidate in Religion and Public Life

THE ACCOMPANYING PODCAST

🎧 For listeners seeking an audio companion to the book, the 2022 podcast series narrated by Br. Justin Mashouf closely follows its key themes and reflections—(though the book has been edited and includes a few fresh divergences). Freely available on all major podcast platforms, it’s perfect for engaging with the material on the go. For more on the podcast, click here.